On the status and mechanisms of coastal erosion in Marawila Beach, Sri Lanka

Coastal erosion remains a problem in many developing countries because of a limited understating of erosion mechanisms and management. Sri Lanka is one of the countries that recognized coastal erosion management as a governmental responsibility, in 1984. Nevertheless, erosion mechanisms have not yet been fully understood. We investigate the status and mechanisms of coastal erosion using empirically collected data and various techniques, such as Geographic Information System analysis of satellite images, drone mapping, bathymetric surveys, hindcasting of wind-induced wave climate, questionnaires, and semi-structured interview surveys. We identified wave climate change, reduction in river sand supply, interruptions from previous erosion management measures, and offshore sand mining as potential causes of erosion considering sediment flux and rates of erosion. Erosion of Marawila Beach began during 2005–2010 and has been continuing ever since, due to a lack of integration in the beach and the entire sediment system. It is necessary to identify the long-term, large-scale changes in the sediment system through data collection. This study highlights the importance of an integrated coastal erosion management plan and could facilitate better coastal erosion management in Sri Lanka, as well as in other developing countries

Impact of climate change on the wave climate of Sri Lanka

Climate change and climate change driven impacts are most widely argued topics among contemporary researchers and scientists. Broadly there are two schools of philosophies that process entirely contrasting concepts about this whole concept of climate change and its impacts. While one of the concepts state about frequently varied climate change and occurrence of extreme weather events the others are banking upon the concept that there is no climate change and it is only the indifferences in occurrence of weather and climate events. The title of this dissertation itself implies the fact that this research study supports the concept of climate change and its probable impacts, thus leaving out the other approach on climate change. Extensive concentrations of green house gasses emitted to the earth’s atmosphere and vast amounts of aerosols govern the majority of anthropogenic causes for climate change, while many of the natural causes such as changes in solar radiation also contributes immensely to earth’s climate change. Absence of detailed studies carried out on investigating probable impacts on wave climates due to projected climate changes is one of the major drawbacks in handling the unique coastal echo systems in Sri Lanka. As a country where coastal resources play a major role in its development, it is absolutely necessary to have a clear idea about the probable impacts that could arise on its coastal areas. This detailed investigation provides vital information on probable impacts that might cause on the western coast of Sri Lanka under the influence of global climate change. The outcomes of this study indicate that there is certain threat to the coasts in Sri Lanka due to a considerable increment in mean wave height and shifted wave directions. It also indicates that not only the number of extreme wave events increase very significantly but also its intensity upsurges in a considerable amount as well

An over view of water research and water related activities of its stakeholders

Utilization of available water resources in needed to be optimized to meet the necessary capacity enhancements for future demands. In this context, water research plays a vital role, enabling rational decision making at national level. Present situation of said context is rather at poor level, thus leaving numerous concerns at researches. An over view of this situation is judicious for better utilization of effects and resources. Present situation of water research at national level was analyzed based on stakeholder points of view, recognized through a survey of explicit stakeholders. Responds were assessed to identify the efforts by different stakeholders as an aggregate value in a three step scale. The data can be further analyzed with a contribution based weight, so that a comparison can be made to indicate the difference of two indicators. Results of the survey showed, among other things, that the nation's present situation of water research is at a poor state, since 89.7% of the work related to surface water, 96.5% of the work related to climate changes and water and 98.9% of work related to water data and information are appear to being carried out without guidelines